I've started updating my Rovers blog again after a period of inactivity.

You might find some interesting stuff to read there.

You might not.

There are some articles on all Rovers head coaches, books about Featherstone Rovers and Rovers players, the history of Rovers scrum-halves, and I'm uploading the series of articles in wrote in last year's programme about Rovers full-backs through the years, starting with this fellow...

I've started updating my Rovers blog again after a period of inactivity.

You might find some interesting stuff to read there.

You might not.

There are some articles on all Rovers head coaches, books about Featherstone Rovers and Rovers players, the history of Rovers scrum-halves, and I'm uploading the series of articles in wrote in last year's programme about Rovers full-backs through the years, starting with this fellow...

Quite so. Sid and Jim's uncle David Denton was one of the all-time greats of Yorkshire CCC and scored more runs than Geoff Boycott! His nephews were both handy cricketers but better known as Featherstone Rovers players.

I remember Jackie well. The memory that sticks with me was when we played Warrington at Warrington, I think it was a cup tie. Brian Bevan was at his best, top speed in the league, wonderful sidestep from both feet, saw an opening anywhere and went for it. Leading try scorer. It was funny that day because Bevan looked like he had just come out of hospital all bandages and a skinny frame, and Jackie who also always looked under nourished. Instead of rugby players they both looked as though Oxfam could help them Bevan was having a blinder. But Jackie held his own and once when they faced each other, Jack with ball in hand ran right up to Bevan and then chipped over his head, ran into touch round him, collected the ball around half way and sped on. Now Jackie wasn't the slowest winger in the world and after his sleight of hand he had gained 10 yards on Bevan with an open run to the try line as the full back was over the other side. Suddenly Bevan hit his top speed and caught Jackie 5 yards out. No try but that clever chip over and dash against the great Bevan still sticks in my mind.

I remember Jackie well. The memory that sticks with me was when we played Warrington at Warrington, I think it was a cup tie. Brian Bevan was at his best, top speed in the league, wonderful sidestep from both feet, saw an opening anywhere and went for it. Leading try scorer. It was funny that day because Bevan looked like he had just come out of hospital all bandages and a skinny frame, and Jackie who also always looked under nourished. Instead of rugby players they both looked as though Oxfam could help them Bevan was having a blinder. But Jackie held his own and once when they faced each other, Jack with ball in hand ran right up to Bevan and then chipped over his head, ran into touch round him, collected the ball around half way and sped on. Now Jackie wasn't the slowest winger in the world and after his sleight of hand he had gained 10 yards on Bevan with an open run to the try line as the full back was over the other side. Suddenly Bevan hit his top speed and caught Jackie 5 yards out. No try but that clever chip over and dash against the great Bevan still sticks in my mind.

Ah! The famous Freddie.. What a kicker of the ball. Don't forget it was the old leather type, so much heavier and so much more difficult to manoeuvre. What would he do under the 40/20 rule. Fullbacks had kicking duels inthose days of unlimited tackles and I remember a long one between him and the famous Ledgard of Leigh. Freddie won as he did with most kicking duels. Not the fasiest fullback but clever with his postioning. Once when we were playing Huddesrfield he shoulder charged Lionel Coioper into touch twice when a try looked imminent. We often went for a pint at his pub when Rovers played there.

What can you say about 'Firm Handshake Jackie'. I remember him playing for the 'New School'( South Fev Modern) and also for Bagley's Rec's. Saw him play for both teams. One thing about Jack was that he overcame his size in the tackle in a move that was unique to him. When he was approached at pace by a big man he didn't go for the legs or the torso he went for the ball! He positioned himself so that he would get a firm grip of it and then swung the player roun d to the ground. Only one player sussed it and used to turn and bump Jack off. No names as Jack says he doesn't remember him!!Stiil got a crunching hand shake -our Jack.

Sometime Sam Tomkins reminds me of Gary Cooper. The same speed and guile. Gary was a very good player. I once remember him playing fullback against Wakefield. Neil Fox broke away and Gary sped back to tackle him. So what you say. I have to tell you that Neil was fast. He had a long deceptive stride and he had a start on Gary. Happy memories of a great player. Although I liked him at centre.

Thanks for your comments Colin, very interesting memories. I must look up Jackie Blackburn and see how much he played at full-back and on the wing (he also played stand-off). Gary Cooper as you say also played quite a bit of rugby at centre.

Thanks for your comments Colin, very interesting memories. I must look up Jackie Blackburn and see how much he played at full-back and on the wing (he also played stand-off). Gary Cooper as you say also played quite a bit of rugby at centre.

Ah! Wriggie,My lasting memory of him was his tackle on Burgess in the Cup Final against Barrow. Burgess was a class winger and when he got into his stride he was difficult to stop. Such an occasion occurred and Burgess had broken away Wriggie showed him the touchline which Burgess took. Just as he was about to go totally clear Wriggie came in with a wonderful perfectly timed tackle round his ankles. It was a neat thing. Memories. Mind you thats what they are and if I have made any mistakes keep in mind I haven't looked in any reference books.

Ah! Wriggie,My lasting memory of him was his tackle on Burgess in the Cup Final against Barrow. Burgess was a class winger and when he got into his stride he was difficult to stop. Such an occasion occurred and Burgess had broken away Wriggie showed him the touchline which Burgess took. Just as he was about to go totally clear Wriggie came in with a wonderful perfectly timed tackle round his ankles. It was a neat thing. Memories. Mind you thats what they are and if I have made any mistakes keep in mind I haven't looked in any reference books.